Foldable table



H. O. DOBIE FOLDABLE TABLE Oct. 16, 1934.

Filed Sept. 11, 1933 3s i z E z E INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to folding tables, and refers particularly to a table adapted for use in parks or the like where subjected to weather, and frequently folded for storage purposes.

The object of the invention is to produce a staunch table structure for such use and one capable of folding into as compact form as possible.

Another object is that of simplicity of construction and convenience of manipulation.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description thereof.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing forming part of this application, and wherein like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view of a fragmental portion of a table embodying the invention, the section being taken just adjacent one of the leg sections of the table.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the table as it appears folded for storage or transportation purposes.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of one end of the table.

It is desirable in the construction of such tables that they be made as strong as possible, and with this aim in view, as well as adaptability to the application of the invention, I have illustrated the table, the top of which is shown at 1, as being provided with a transverse member 2 beneath the top thereof, there being one of such members spaced inwardly from either end of the table, or in the event of a much longer table there may be additional transverse supports, if desired, but for convenience we will assume that there are but two of such transverse members on the table here illustrated, which, together with the top, form the top section.

To each cross member 2 is attached as by hinges illustrated at 3 a leg section comprising preferably the major legs 4 and minor legs 5, they being united as by the cross members 6 and 7, the latter being the ground engaging member and designed to rest upon the ground for support of the table and the seats. These seats are illustrated at 8 and are properly spaced outwardly from the leg members 4 and directly above the leg members 5, and are hinged to the cross member or beam 6, as by the hinges '9, which, it will be noted, are on the same side of the leg sections as the hinges 3, so that when the sections are folded up to a position parallel with the table top, the seats will assume a position parallel with the top of the table.

I have shown each leg section as having an upper cross member 10, which, when the table is set up, falls directly beneath the member 2,

making a firm and substantial support for the table top, but it is evident that the hinges 3 might be installed directly upon the upper ends of the legs, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the table top may be of any desired construction apart from that shown, except that the proper support is provided heneath the top for attachment of the hinges 3.

A metal brace is illustrated at 11, pivotally attached at one end either to the top or the bar 6 of the leg section, and at the opposite end provided with a suitable hook or other holding means so that when the table is in set up position the brace may be properly connected to insure the table remaining in such position, and, of course, will have to be disconnected at one end before the table is folded, and in which latter position it may be hooked or bound in any desired manner.

It is apparent that while I have shown the hinges 3 and 9 as appearing on the near side of the cross members 2 and 6, respectively, that at the opposite end of the table similar hinges would have to be located on the near side also of the similar supporting members, as viewed in Figure 1, so that both leg sections could swing in the same direction in order to bring the seat members up with their under sides on the same plane with the lower edges of the cross members 2, and parallel with the top, and were the table not provided with the cross members 2 and the hinges 3 fixed directly to the under side of the top, the seats when folded up would be in the same plane with the top, depending of course on the relative thickness of the members employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s:

In combination a table top having cross members transversely disposed thereunder adjacent each end thereof comprising leg sections hinged to the cross members and including legs normally depending from the ends of said cross members and hinged thereto, a pair of vertically spaced cross members attached to the lower endsof the legs and extending laterally beyond the sides of the legs to form seat supports, short leg sections intermediate of the extreme ends of the last mentioned cross members, and seats hinged to the uppermost one of the pair of leg cross members in such a manner that when the leg sections are folded upwardly towards the top the seat sections will be folded horizontally upon the pair of leg cross members in parallel relation with the leg sections and the top and latch means pivotally and detachably engaged between a leg section and the table top.

HARRY O. DOBIE. 

